Spruce Beetle vs Madagascan Marbled Mantis

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spruce Beetle Madagascan Marbled Mantis
Scientific Name Dendroctonus rufipennis Polyspilota griffinii
Order Coleoptera Mantodea
Family Curculionidae Mantidae
Size 4-7 mm 60-80mm
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Herbivores
Regions Alaska, western Canada, and the Rocky Mountain states Africa
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

Spruce Beetle

A dark brown to black bark beetle that is the primary killer of mature spruce trees in North America. Outbreaks are triggered by drought, windthrow, or warming temperatures.

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Did You Know?

A single outbreak in Alaska during the 1990s killed spruce trees across more than one million acres.

Madagascan Marbled Mantis

A large mantis with marbled green and brown wing covers. It is endemic to Madagascar. Its mottled coloring provides excellent camouflage among sun-dappled forest foliage.

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Did You Know?

It is found only on Madagascar, making it one of many unique species on this island of evolutionary marvels.